Hinesville City Manager Billy Edwards gave a brief state of the city presentation to Rotarians on Tuesday. He focused mainly on the construction of the new city hall and the barage of growth expected in the city.
Edwards said the upcoming population surge will be a challenge for the city, but the local government is not without a plan.
"Water, sewer and electricity are ready," Edwards said. "My single greatest concern is the roads. We just haven't been able to get funding."
He said a lack of funds from the government has also put a hold on the
public transit system city officials originally projected to be up and running by Dec. 1.
"The DOT is having great difficulties with their budget," Edwards said. "We haven't gotten the money from the DOT. It's a state funding issue."
Edwards said the transit system is still high up on the city's list of priorities, but officials aren't sure of a launch date for the program.
"We're in a wait and see situation," he said.
Edwards also presented a digital rendering for the planned $9.5 to $10 million, 48,000-square foot new city hall building. Edwards said he thinks the facility is necessary to accommodate Hinesville's growth during the past few decades. Demolition will begin this spring and he anticipates construction will last about 18 months.
"Ninety percent of the building will come down," Edwards said.
He said city offices will temporarily be housed in the second floor of the Hinesville Police Department. Residents who need to pay water bills can go to the police department, but Edwards encourages customers to begin paying online or via mail to avoid as much traffic as possible. (www.cityofhinesville.org).
The new building will also house extra space in anticipation of further growth in the coming years.
"Our building can accommodate two more council members," Edwards said.
Edwards said the upcoming population surge will be a challenge for the city, but the local government is not without a plan.
"Water, sewer and electricity are ready," Edwards said. "My single greatest concern is the roads. We just haven't been able to get funding."
He said a lack of funds from the government has also put a hold on the
public transit system city officials originally projected to be up and running by Dec. 1.
"The DOT is having great difficulties with their budget," Edwards said. "We haven't gotten the money from the DOT. It's a state funding issue."
Edwards said the transit system is still high up on the city's list of priorities, but officials aren't sure of a launch date for the program.
"We're in a wait and see situation," he said.
Edwards also presented a digital rendering for the planned $9.5 to $10 million, 48,000-square foot new city hall building. Edwards said he thinks the facility is necessary to accommodate Hinesville's growth during the past few decades. Demolition will begin this spring and he anticipates construction will last about 18 months.
"Ninety percent of the building will come down," Edwards said.
He said city offices will temporarily be housed in the second floor of the Hinesville Police Department. Residents who need to pay water bills can go to the police department, but Edwards encourages customers to begin paying online or via mail to avoid as much traffic as possible. (www.cityofhinesville.org).
The new building will also house extra space in anticipation of further growth in the coming years.
"Our building can accommodate two more council members," Edwards said.